While the whole Fourth of July weekend is packed with fun things to do in Grass Valley, starting with the opening of downtown's Friday Night Markets, this year the town is also the site of Monday's parade.

The fun begins with a free band concert that heralds the mile-long parade. Then it is off to the Nevada County Fairgrounds where a day of celebration includes music, dancing, eating, and fireworks.

The parade, which has more than 100 entries, includes bands, antique vehicles, fire engines, floats, equestrians, performers, clowns, and local celebrities. The grand marshal is Col. Lawrence L. Wells, commander of Beale Air Force Base.

"It's a good idea to arrive by 10:30 a.m. with lawn chair in hand to find your parade-viewing spot," says Howard Levine, executive director of the Grass Valley Downtown Association.

The Elks will be providing food in their front yard at West Main Street, along with hosting the popular Fruit Jar Pickers, who are always a treat to listen to and watch.

The day-long celebration at the fairgrounds comes next with the fun going on and on, through a spectacular fireworks display.

And, remember, if the thought of fighting traffic is too much to bear, the city has provided a shuttle for free that travels between the fairgrounds and downtown.

Thousands of people will be enjoying Grass Valley's hospitality over a holiday that welcomes summer to our midst.

Tips for the Fourth

Some good things to know when coming to the Nevada County Fairgrounds on the Fourth of July:

• Disabled Parking: Enter through Gate 4 and park in front of Gate 5. Wheel chairs are available.

• No pets are allowed.

• No alcoholic beverages: All back packs, coolers and large bags will be inspected for alcoholic beverages, which are forbidden. Further, no glass, barbecues, or personal fireworks may be brought into the fairgrounds, all attendees are required to wear shirts.

<i>- The Union staff</I>

Schedule of Events

Friday

• 6 p.m. - Friday Night Market, downtown Grass Valley

Saturday-Sunday

• 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Junior Rodeo, Penn Valley, (Sunday events begin at 10 a.m.)

• Noon-2 p.m. - Hometown Hospitality, Downtown Grass Valley, free hot-dogs at the Elizabeth Daniels Park, Neal St.; window display contest

Monday

• 10 a.m. Nevada County Concert Band, Wells Fargo Bank parking lot on Mill St., Grass Valley

• 11 a.m. - Parade begins at Main and S. Auburn Streets, Grass Valley. It moves up Main St., then down Mill, across Neal, and up Church to Chapel.

• 11 a.m. - Celebration at the Nevada County Fairgrounds, McCourtney Road, Grass Valley, begins. $8 adults; free to youths 12 and under.

Games and rides throughout the day

On the Pine Tree Stage:

• 1 p.m. - Tommyknocker Cloggers

• 2 p.m. - Mad Dash

• 3:15 p.m. - Ophir Prison Marching Kazoo and Temperance Band

• 4:15 p.m. - Parade awards for everything from individuals to group entries, people to horses, and the coveted Mayor's Trophy.

• 4:20 p.m. - Tommyknockers

• 5:45 p.m. - Ragged But Right

• 7:30 p.m. - Blue Suede with Elvis and Orbison impersonator

On the dance pad:

• 3 p.m to fireworks, Gold Country Line Dance

On the Stage on the Green:

• 2 p.m. to fireworks, Reckless Abandon

• 4 to 8 p.m. - Family open house at the historic Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Exhibit, showing visitors a realistic view of what it was like to travel the 22 miles between Nevada City and Colfax from 1875 to 1942.

• 9:30 p.m. - Fireworks begin

After the fireworks, Blue Suede plays for another 45 minutes to help remedy the traffic bottleneck.

On July 4, all parking at the Fairgrounds is at Gate 4, starting at 9 a.m. for $3. A free shuttle to the parade and back runs between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Gate 4/5 to Safeway, Grass Valley. Call the Grass Valley Downtown Association at 272-8315 for information.